Vintage Rare Enicar Pre Sherpa Chronograph Gold Plated Venus 188 17J Mens Watch

📚 Product History

The Enicar Pre‑Sherpa chronographs represent an important and increasingly rare chapter in the brand’s early history. Before Enicar became widely recognized for its Sherpa line of professional dive and racing watches in the late 1950s and 1960s, the company produced a small number of elegant, manually‑wound chronographs during the 1940s and early 1950s. These early “Pre‑Sherpa” models were manufactured in far lower quantities, making surviving examples highly collectible today.

Enicar was founded in 1914 by Ariste Racine, who cleverly reversed his surname to create the brand name “Enicar.” The company quickly earned a reputation for producing reliable, forward‑thinking Swiss timepieces. While the Sherpa series would later define Enicar’s global identity, the Pre‑Sherpa chronographs showcase the brand’s early mastery of complicated watchmaking and refined case design.

🔧 The Venus 188 Movement

Powering this watch is the Venus 188, a historically significant Swiss chronograph caliber produced from the late 1940s through the mid‑1960s. Manufactured by Fabrique d’Ebauches Venus SA, the Venus 188 is a 17‑jewel, manual‑wind, cam‑switched chronograph known for its reliability and clean architecture.

The movement features a 30‑minute counter at 3 o’clock and small seconds at 9 o’clock, running at 18,000 A/h with a power reserve of approximately 40 hours. The Venus 188 later evolved into the Valjoux 7730 after Venus was absorbed by Valjoux, making it an important transitional movement in the history of Swiss chronograph development.

🌟 Why This Watch Matters

A gold‑plated Enicar chronograph powered by the Venus 188 is a true Pre‑Sherpa era piece, combining early Enicar design language with a respected Swiss chronograph movement. These watches were produced in limited numbers, and far fewer have survived in collectible condition.

Collectors value these early Enicar chronographs for their rarity, historical importance, and distinctive styling. They represent the foundation upon which Enicar later built its legendary Sherpa line, making them an essential part of the brand’s evolution and a compelling addition to any vintage chronograph collection.

Enicar watches are becoming more and more collectible, and this example is a great addition to any collection. The condition of the watch is exactly as shown in the photos. The watch is currently working, but due to its age, a service is recommended for optimal long‑term performance. Please contact me if you have any questions before purchasing.